Lee

Ready2Be, THREE DAYS!!! How excited are you? I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to hear how you're doing post-op. Please keep us all posted!!

Tamra, I'm so happy to see you so excited! Get out there and get those groceries you'll need. :w00t: I have a question about our binders. We have those pages for feelings/food/water/exercise etc. Do those get reviewed by Liz or Robin? I track food on Myfitnesspal and don't track it in the binder. I also drink 100oz of fluids a day so don't track.

Good Morning! I finally slept through the night. For the last week I've been waking up every hour. Pat, not happy that you've been waking up as well but glad to know it also happens to you when stressed. I think I wake up thinking/dreaming about the surgery. Anyone else feel obsessed with getting info before the surgery? I read an article posted on either obesityhealth.com or verticlesleeve.com yesterday. I frequent both of those sites. The article talked about how much better patients do that lose 10% of their body weight pre-op. The article was about RNY patients but I bet it holds true for all WLS. They said that there are less complications post-op, breathing/blood clots etc. It seems that the Kaiser program is built on research, which is why the Sleeve is just being offered since it was just approved as a stand alone surgery, not just the first part of the Duodenal Switch. I love coming here because all of you are local to me. I see some of you at the Kaiser meetings and I hope to walk with some of you. Speaking of which, Jes, when are you next coming to get your nails done and walk the lake? I'd love to join you for that walk. I think the forums over at ObesityHealth really rock as well. I participate mostly in the Lightweights forum for people with a starting BMI of 35-40. The thread that I like best is called Meals and Miles. Everyday people with all three surgeries post exactly what they eat and what exercise they do as well as accounting for vitamins and hydration. I love seeing exactly what others eat. I notice that most people there focus heavily on three very small meals with protein shakes between meals to get in their protein. There's also a California forum. I signed up to go to the Contra Costa Groups lunch next Saturday at Mimi's in Concord if anyone is interested in checking out their pages. Last night I had my "last supper" with my son for his 36th birthday which is next week but he'll be back home in NY. We went down to an organic restaurant on the coast in El Granada. We order slowly, one dish at a time and while I said this would be my big splurge (not in diet mode), we ended up with two appetizers, 1 salad and 1 dessert. I guess not bad because I'm down 1/5 pound this morning. Maybe it's the walk around the lake on Thursday and Friday. This morning we're going down into the gym so that he can get me going on a weight routine. I want to have something going pre-op so that I can continue it post-op. I saw pictures of a woman yesterday who started out at my size I think. She started swimming post-op and learned to lift weights. She has professional arms and back muscles. I was blown away by her pictures. Ok, enough book here. Have a wonderful day everyone and have fun tonight! Take lots of pictures please. :w00t: Pam, what city do you live in and may I come if Zach goes off to play with his friends and I'm home alone?

Loser, that's a great idea about Peanut Butter powder in the unjury. Thanks for that tip! Kaiser in northern california tests your urine to determine whether you've been smoking. I know someone that just met her pre-op weight goal and now has to wait 2 weeks for the test to come back before they'll schedule surgery. I went to a hypnotist in 1990 and haven't smoked since. I was pack a day smoker for 22 years. It really worked for me!

I'm still pre-op. I've told my six closest girlfriends. We're a tight circle and it would have caused problems if I didn't tell them all. Five are thrilled for me, one thinks I'm nuts. I did tell a friend that lives out of town and she insists everyone gains it back. She's fat too so there's probably an emotional tie in for her. My son who's 35 is thrilled because I've been in diet hell his entire life. My life has focused on food/diet/regain etc. I'm done. I'm not torturing myself anymore. When I walked into my surgeon's office, he asked why I want the surgery. I told him I've been on a diet for 50 years and it hasn't worked yet so I'm ready to try something else. I'm not going to tell my boss until the weight loss becomes apparent. Nothing in California law says that I have to give the medical reason for needing time off. When I had my gallbladder out in November I just said I needed a surgical procedure done. If/when people ask me, I'm going to tell them that it was a very personal decision made between my doctor and myself and say it in a way that lets people know it's not up for discussion. I may feel differently post-op but for now I want to leave it at this. If I'm having any difficulty post-op I don't want the door open for people to tell me that I made a mistake. I know from reading everything here that difficulty in the first month doesn't point to a mistake but simply part of the journey!

This morning I'm trying the unjury unflavored in a cup of Earl Grey tea. It was a hassle to make. Put the powder in some Water and stir, then make tea and watch it cool to 130 degrees. Add a bit of fat free half and half to cool. The stirred the Protein into the tea. Reheat a touch. Smelled yuck. Added a cap full of Toriani sugar free vanilla so that I smell that when drinking. This is the first unflavored that I've tried. I don't think I'd like it in water or even crystal light (which I find too sweet now). Maybe in a cup of Soup or in Jello. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I might try it in a cup of decaf over the weekend. I'm still pre-op and experimenting. If I don't like something now, I'm pretty sure not to like it later.

Carolyn, I've been reading on OH that Protein heated to over 130 degrees will turn into a hot mess. The people on there who have Protein drinks make a paste of the protein some Water, then add it to tea or coffee that has been heated (or cooled for brewed coffee) to 130 degrees. I ordered some unflavored protein from unjury that came yesterday. I also ordered their $5 thermometer so I can check for 130. I may give that a try this morning in some hot tea. Bambi, Kaiser says the same reasons for no carbonation as your doctor does.

Hi Everyone! Tina, I so know that you're not in the 35%. I really hope you didn't think I was talking about you. I was just saying "in general". The shrink said it was 35% of post-ops that fail. Bev is saying 30% but it's going up. Tamra, it's great to see you so excited. I had a good day. Son came home today. We made big salads for dinner and watched a movie together tonight. He just left to go upstairs to sleep. We're planning a walk around the lake in the morning since it's not supposed to rain. Sweet dreams!

Good Morning! Still not at pre-surgery weight here. I've been cutting carbs and calories but last night had a lot of sodium in a Thai eggplant and shrimp dish. My son gets back from LA today, then leaves for NY on Monday morning. I am hoping to hit pre-surgery goal next week or the week after. I need to talk to my work about being out before meeting with Liz. I think support is very important and this group is great. I'm not sure that it's about Liz and Kaiser wanting to be in control. I think it's more about them wanting everyone to have success. When I went to my psych eval, I was told that the figure of 30% failures is now at 35% and rising. I'm sure that they see this from people who are not in compliance with the program. Kaiser wants us to succeed and get to goal as quickly as possible, if for no other reason than to minimize future health risks. They're making an investment in each of us through the surgery. They have one of the top programs in the country. How lucky are we to be part of it. When I go to the Wednesday night support meetings, I listen particularly closely to the post-ops that got to goal and are maintaining it over the long run. It looks like they stick very closely to the Kaiser recommendations. I think it's fine to tweak things to fit our personal life etc, but why try to fix their system if it's not broken. I find I need to look to myself when it doesn't work. I've been eating less than 1200 calories. Maybe that's holding me back. Maybe I really do need the 1200 etc. I spent over 15 years in OA trying to do it my way. That got me to 249. I always think I'm smarter when it comes to dieting because I've been doing it for over 40 years. I'm not so smart or I wouldn't have been 249. I view the surgery as hiring Kaiser to teach me/train me/help me get the job of getting to goal finally done. I think I'm done trying to do it my way. Does any of this make sense? Let's make great choices today and find joy! Tamra and Nicollie, I'm still riding your high!!! :thumbup:

Sending lots of prayers. You're gonna do great!

Tamra, I am SOOOO excited for you. Please come back and share your story! Ali, I'm getting a Sleeve, but these banders let me hang out here with them. :thumbup:

Great job working your Sleeve. Congratulations! I had my gallbladder removed in November and put on 10 pounds from the morning of surgery to the next evening. I was amazed at how much Fluid must have been pumped into me. Feels great to have it out, doesn't it? :001_smile:

YAY!!! I'm so jealous that you're going to be on the LOSERS BENCH later today! But more, I'm soooo excited for you. Congratulations on getting to this point in your journey.

John - Congratulations!!! You are so close to being a happy man again! Ashley, I'm so sorry you're getting this grief from the billing department. Keep trying and don't give up. Maybe you should get a loan to pay for the surgery so you can get it done with and get that day care center bringing in money. Tamra and Canolie, you two must be flying! I can't wait to hear what date you get Tamra. Candra.... Holy Moly, you've got one HOT man! You two look terrific together. I just got in from meditation group. Need to go do a few things so I can go to sleep. I have an early meeting in Sacramento tomorrow. Sweet dreams everyone!

I think it's normal to be nervous. Remember that today is just a consult. You'll have plenty of time to think about what gets said today. Until the day of surgery, you can always change your mind if you decide it's not right for you. I personally can't wait until surgery day! This is such an individual decision for each of us. Good luck on your journey!

It looks like this - Amazon.com: Boiron - Carbo Vegetabilis 30c, 30c, 80 pellets: Health & Personal Care

Pat, when I had my gallbladder out in November, I went to the Natural Pharmacy and asked the Homeopathic person what I could use for the post-op gas. I got a remedy called "Carbo Vegetabalis". She told me I could even add a few balls to my drinking water but I didn't need to. It comes in tiny little balls that you put under your tongue. I'd take it a few times a day. If I felt a twinge of that gas in my upper shoulder, I'd just pop a few and bam, the gas was gone. I'm a true believer in it for post-op. Gallbladder has the same gas as WLS.

Hi Lan, I'm sorry this is happening. I had to do chemo type drugs several years ago. While my hair didn't all fall out, I lost a lot of it. I stopped coloring it and cut it very short so that I wouldn't need to brush it or dry it. It all grew back! I'm not looking forward to losing it again but I'm going to cut it short again when my turn comes.

Tamra and Nicollie - YAY!!! So happy that the two of you are at GOAL!!! Pat, I'm really excited for you. Two weeks will fly by! Tina, I'm so sorry this is so stressful for you. You're right, letting go a little (but not of good eating and exercising) may really help you. Are you sleeping well at night? Here's the five day pouch test that I see many on ObesityHealth.com using. I bet you could substitute tofu and Seitan etc for the meat days. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I'm doing ok. Had a good food day and glad it's dinner time! :smile2:

Mine took one hour. She asked me a lot of questions about habits, what I'm doing to prepare for surgery, how many people were in the room we were sitting in, who is the president... etc. Kaiser has everyone do a psych evaluation before surgery.

We can be happy regardless of what the scale says. If we don't like the scale, kick it to the curb!

Good Morning Team! New week. New choices! I've been tracking all my food on Myfitnesspal.com I was using Sparkpeople but someone over at sleevetalk recommended fitnesspal so I've been using it. I've kept carbs low, protein high, calories under 1200 the last three days and walked for 2.5 hours over the last three days. Scale not budging off 233. I think I need to shake up my calories, 1 day higher, then low again. I'm eating primarily meat, veggies and a protein shake, even cut out the fruit because of the carbs. I'm hoping to see a change soon!!! Sheesh. I'm so close to pre-surgery but my body won't let go. This happens on every diet I go on but I'm not going to get discouraged I hope. I just want that Liz appointment already! Tamra, you going in for that weight check this morning? Riley, we haven't seen you much lately, how's it going? Hi hi hi to everyone!

Tina, are you a vegetarian? I was a vegan for many years. Recently raw vegan from 2004 - 2006. Always hungry. After reading your menu, I'd suggest ditching the Oatmeal. When I eat oatmeal I'm always starving shortly after. The carbs are so high. Have you tracked foods that sustain you longer? Are you able to tolerate greek yogurt? Could you try one with a little more fat and protein powder to satisfy you? Do you ever eat eggs or fish? From my reading on the Sleeve sites, the people who wake up hungry are having a protein shake before bed which helps them get through the night. I know that Kaiser says no shakes, but they also expect weight loss. The food plan is the same whether we have the band or the sleeve. I am so sorry you're going through this Band Hell. I can imagine how frustrated you are to be doing everything right and not getting results. Sending sympathy your way....

You're in my thoughts Kai! Good luck today.

Welcome back VegasAngel!